I really like how he's taking a cautious approach to the transition--he stresses the need to do everything as quickly as possible but wants to do it thoroughly as well. Also the bipartisan spirit in which he plans to get things done.

Dear President-Elect Obama,

Regarding your Most Important Issue, I'd like to offer some advice: Why not choose a dog from one of the many breed-specific rescue organizations? That way you'd be able to pick out a breed that's appropriate for a a dog-allergic person like Malia and you'd still be giving a needy animal a good home. After all, what dog wouldn't want to be the First Pet?

The Poodle Rescue of New England has lots of dogs that need homes. Poodles are intelligent, energetic and people-oriented (a lot like yourself, actually), and are recommended as an ideal pet for someone with allergies. A list of Poodles looking for a good home is here.

Or maybe a Greyhound? They're sweet and affectionate and don't need as much space as people think. Here's a list of Greyhounds up for adoption in the DC area.

Yeah, that's basically me, too, because most of the shows I do watch are either a. Older than dirt, b.On some cable station I can't afford, or c. Not available in the US. I get just as hooked, though, so I can't be all ewww, television.

It's funny that I immediately thought he should adopt a dog from a shelter and that's the plan--of course. I am ridiculously excited about the new first dog. Not that I have anything against the current one.

Apparently he can't just get any old mutt because Malia's allergic, but it looks like there are plenty of other choices. The First Dog, of course is THE most pressing issue on the minds of Americans, as it should be. *g*

* His Treasury Secretary choice should be the first cabinet position filled, and he should do so ASAP (actually, he should've done it already, imho). I'm hoping for Warren Buffet, though the man is likely too smart to take the job.

* God help us if he's consulting Govenor Jennifer Granholm on economic issues. If he's not, standing her on that platform with him showed horrific judgment. Perhaps he was only sending a message that he intends to support the auto industry (apparently they're next in line on the government gravy train), but he could've chosen, perhaps, Sneator Levin to convey it (though he's only a little less yuck). The Michigan economy is a train wreck. Unemployment is the worst in the country. She's raised taxes, like, a gazillion times and was the primary reason the state government shut down due to a budget crisis (this happened at least once under her "leadership"). She's abrasive, and everyone I know hates her. Don't even mention her name when my husband is in earshot unless you want to listen to an hour-long diatribe about how awful she is.

* Notice how he completely dodged the question about his campaign promise to raise taxes. Of course, in this economic atmosphere, raising taxes on anyone is a duncelike move. I think he knew that all along. Also, he warned that there will likely be "differences" between people of the same party. So. Pelosi, Reid, and all those hoping for some sort of liberal revolution, get used to his swing to the center.

* As evidenced by the two previous stimulus packages, THEY DON'T WORK. They're a temporary, feel-good move that ultimately does nothing. After people spend their stimulus or unemployment checks, they're right back where they started. Jobs need to be created, and you don't do that by taxing the companies that create them. And by the way, does anyone in their right mind think those corporations he says he's going to tax are just going to absorb them? It'll trickle down to us, people, in the form of lost jobs, reduced benefits for workers, and higher product and service prices.

* He completely ignored the question about how soon he plans to send "low-level envoys" to hostile nations.

* I DO like how he reminded everyone that he's not the President yet. A class move.

* Honestly, I think Obama is too measured and cautious. That's one of the (many) things about him that bother me. Just as a "quick draw" President would be a disaster in times such as these, so would a guarded one. He spoke about his criteria for his Senate successor, with "passion" being important. I realize that to obtain the office of President, one must be passionate for it, thus Obama must have some spark of it within him, but wow, does he cover it well. The man comes off as passionate as Rip van Winkle on Ambien.

* As for the books he's reading right now, I would suggest he partake of some Russell Kirk before he swears in.

* Bravo on bringing shelter animals to the fore. Well done.

* Bravo also on understanding there can always be improvements on the intelligence process. Undoubtedly the competitive atmosphere between agencies still exists, and undoubtedly there is still proprietary hoarding going on. If Obama can actually fix this, I'll doff my hat to the man.

I had to watch this again to respond, because I have a mind like a steel sieve, and also because I'm procrastinating instead of washing my kitchen floor which needs to be done like woah.

*Yep, treasury secretary first. I like the idea of Warren Buffet. Whoever he/she is, it's very possible that the choice is already made and the transition team isn't ready to make the announcement. I doubt the issue's been ignored.

*It seems like she's there because of her knowledge of the auto industry--he calls her an "expert" on the subject, and I guess she'd have to be. I have no idea, since I know less than nothing about the woman. *Googles her* Apparently you're not the only one who doesn't like her. If her rep is that bad, I'm guessing that the auto industry is what she'll be consulting about (and hopefully any support given there will be done with for the sake of the zillions of jobs that could be lost and not to line the CEO's pockets), and not how to fix the national debt.

*His campaign promise wasn't to raise taxes, it was to cut taxes for the middle class and eliminate capital gains taxes for small business owners.

As for the differences within his own party, it sounds like it's not such an uncommon occurence. I didn't hear him mention any names. Sure, Nancy and Harry are members of his party--but so are Joe Lieberman and the Blue Dog Democrats. He'll absolutely have to make some compromises in the spirit of bipartisanship, as well as maintaining equilibrium within the Democratic party. And anyway, I don't think he's the radical lefty some label him (for instance, what he calls "universal healthcare",isn't the single-payer national/state healthcare that more left-leaning politicians would like). Obama's a liberal, but he's no Dennis Kucinich.

*I know doodley-squat about economics. Obviously the last stimulus package didn't work (I spent mine on bills), but I couldn't give you an alternative that might be better because, see above about doodley-squat. Obama's got a heck of a lot of people advising him, you'd think if there were a better idea they'd have mentioned it to him. Also, corporations are evil. Just as a matter of course. It's relevant to nothing, except that hello, America, the government isn't running things, the corporations are. (*leaves NAFTA rant for another day*)

*I don't think he dodged the question at all. He said that how to deal with a country like Iran is an issue that shouldn't be done in a knee-jerk fashion, and also that such dealings would be an international effort. He also reiterates that he's not the President yet and doesn't want to send "the wrong message to the world", which I take to mean a message that the current President no longer has authority. (ETA: My nephew calls Ahmadinejad "I'm a dinner jacket". I'm thoroughly amused, and use the term as often as possible)

*He showed plenty of passion during the campaign. I'm guessing his calm demeanor is an attempt to a. be professional and b. Calm the post-election furor with an injection of down-to-businessness.

His campaign promise wasn't to raise taxes, it was to cut taxes for the middle class and eliminate capital gains taxes for small business owners.

Ah, but he never denied that the taxes of those making over $250k would go up. The fact is, they will. As will the capital gains tax for individuals.

Sure, Nancy and Harry are members of his party--but so are Joe Lieberman and the Blue Dog Democrats.

Righto that, but Nancy, Harry, and your boy Howard Dean are the Dem leaders, and all three are dyed-in-the-wool liberals who think they've got one of their own in the White House. Which they do, but if Obama values a second term, he has to keep the centrist promises that got him elected. Remember, as evidenced by the defeat of so many ballot proposals championed by liberals, the country is still center-right, and if they feel their candidate has betrayed them, they'll boot him. As for him not being overly liberal, "spread the wealth around.".

* Also, corporations are evil.

*rolls eyes* No, the people that run them are often consumed with greed, and there is no viable check to keep it leashed. Corporations themselves provide millions upon millions of jobs to the citizens of this country. They have far too much sway on government, yes, absolutely, and more often indirectly make policy than influence it. But if they somehow went poof, this country would implode in a matter of days.

* I don't think he dodged the question at all.

It was a total dodge. More countries were mentioned than Iran. He was addressing the second part of the question about his reaction to "I'mADinnerJacket's" letter of congratulations. The first part of the question was when was he going to send low-level envoys to [list hostile countries here]. He didn't answer it. He could have said that hasn't been determined, or better, that he's waiting to take office before he'll answer such questions, which would have both directly addressed the question and gotten his point across that he's not President yet.

* He showed plenty of passion during the campaign.

Now, I certainly didn't see every clip of him on the trail, but I saw quite a few. So. Show me one example wherein it doesn't appear forced. Just one. A moment wherein he appears swept away. Hell, you don't even have to show me; just point me to an account of a moment wherein he appeared "unscriptedly" impassioned. I promise I'll look at it with an unbiased eye. If you succeed, I'll throw some of the toll house cookies I baked today at you. :)

* Calm the post-election furor with an injection of down-to-businessness.

There is calm and there is aloof. If he's going to deliver impassioned words, his demeanor must match them if they're to be believed. The man is wonderful to listen to. He speaks as well as Regan, absolutely, and I love his steady voice. But his eyes are cautious and hesitant, which, if actions don't lie, dovetails with his overriding instincts. I want to see fire in those eyes.

Ah, but he never denied that the taxes of those making over $250k would go up.

He never denied that in the campaign, as far as I know.

Corporations ARE the greedy people who run them. Ipso facto. The only reason most for-profit corporations do anything to support their employees is because they need them to make the CEO's paychecks bigger. And yeah, they have WAY too much sway on the government. IMO, if corporate sway wasn't there, NAFTA never would have been implemented, at least the way it is now. And a bunch of other things.

Show me one example wherein it doesn't appear forced. Just one.

None of it did. Scripted? As much as any candidate's speeches are scripted, but forced? Nah.

The first part of the question was when was he going to send low-level envoys to [list hostile countries here]. He didn't answer it.

I think he did--I took his response as an answer to the reporter's question. It's a matter of perception.

But his eyes are cautious and hesitant, which, if actions don't lie, dovetails with his overriding instincts.

Hmm. I really didn't read hesitant. Cautious, maybe, and he's never been president before, but I didn't read hesitant at all. See above about perceptions. Everyone sees stuff differently, I guess.

By the way, my choice for the dog's name: Obarkma.

Heheee! I like people names for my animals, so I'd go with something like "Ralph" or "Sam". :D